Pain.

Ryukumu sits up in his bed, covering his bandaged abdomen with one of his arms. Pain has lingered with him since his recent battle with Casske, which he won, but not by much. Once again, he has unfinished business with Solaris. But this time, it's with his direct enemy:

The Gazel Ministry. The council of old men, whose bodies are long dead but whose consciousnesses live on in an electronic computer.

What is God?

This question torments Ryukumu as he tries to come up with an answer. As a boy, he frequently attended the church services in Lahan with his mother. The doctrine taught was not that of Ethos, but more of a non-denominational doctrine. Praise God, live a good life, and you will live an eternal life in heaven.

But is this eternal life destined to be spent fused into a weapon with the rest of the human race?

What is the meaning of life?

Why is it that man searches for a higher existance?

Why is it that man's foolishness is their undoing?

These questions torments Ryukumu as much as the first question. He knows of the Gazel Ministry's plans. The Ministry is aware of his knowledge.

And now they seek to capture him. They have sent soldiers to bring him in. Casske was the first, Joseph was the second. But Joseph seems to have his own intentions.

Did he tell Joseph too much? Upon the encounter, Joseph did not attempt to battle or arrest Ryukumu. Rather, Joseph had a keen interest in why Ryukumu was to be captured. What was this great secret that justified sending soldiers after an otherwise fairly harmless civilian? Granted, he was a Yggdrasil crew member, but the Yggdrasil and Solaris are at peace, for once.

Joseph was not very patient. Ryukumu was in no shape to fight, so instead Ryukumu watered down his knowledge and explained his reason for arrest to be knowledge of 'just another superweapon'. Hah. Fortunately Joseph was not very bright either, he bought the story, though was slightly annoyed. What is Joseph planning?

Ryukumu had told his close friends of the entire plot. Bart and Sigurd seemed distressed, but there does not seem to be much the two can do to remedy the situation. The point is, however, that others know of the plot. Ryukumu may have put his friends in grave danger by giving them the knowledge, as well as making his location known to the Solarian soldiers. Bart seemed confident enough that the Yggdrasil could fight off whatever opposition may show itself, but the Gazel Ministry's connections run deep into the Solarian chain of command. There is no way to tell how far they may go to bring him in.

Pain. Both physical, and emotional. With no relief in sight.